The RIBA has responded to a consultation on sprinklers and other fire safety measures in new high-rise blocks of flats, published by the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government. The RIBA recommendations to government are based on over two years of research and evidence gathering on layers of fire safety.
The RIBA believes that sprinklers/automatic fire suppression systems are a highly effective means of life protection, and recommends:
- a regulatory requirement for sprinklers/automatic fire suppression systems in all new and converted buildings that include a ‘dwelling’ or a ‘room for residential purposes’ (regardless of height, as already required in Wales), and;
- a regulatory requirement for sprinklers/automatic fire suppression systems in all existing buildings that include a ‘flat’ or a ‘room for residential purposes’ as ‘consequential improvements’ where a building is subject to 'material alterations'.
- that sprinklers should not be used as a means to compensate other key life safety measures or justify reducing minimum standards.
The RIBA recommends a requirement for centrally addressable fire alarm systems, (integrating detection and alert):
- in all new and converted buildings that include a ‘flat’ or a ‘room for residential purposes’ of any height, and;
- in all existing buildings that include a ‘flat’ or a ‘room for residential purposes’ of any height as ‘consequential improvements’ where a building is subject to 'material alterations'.
The complete response published on 28 November 2019 (included below) explains the recommendations for sprinklers, centrally addressable fire alarms, wayfinding and other layers of fire safety.
